Be that as it may, no matter how you feel about mechanics, odds are you’re going to need one — and likely at inopportune moments.

Here’s what you can do to find a mechanic you trust:

• Ask family and friends for recommendations. Since so few people trust repair shops, chances are if someone is willing to vouch for one, there’s a good reason. • Find out how long a shop under consideration has been in business, as this can be a good indicator of their reliability. • Check into a shop’s consumer complaints with the Better Business Bureau, state department of consumer affairs or the attorney general’s office. • Take your car for a minor job like an oil change or tire rotation and see how they do with that as a test for how they’d handle a major one. • While you’re there, inspect the shop’s appearance, amenities, technician credentials, and parts and labor warranty. • Once you’ve made a selection, build a relationship with a technician so they get to know your vehicle and your personal needs.

Car trouble can be highly stressful, so do your homework. Take the initiative to find a mechanic you’re comfortable with before your car has a breakdown — so that you don’t.